Chapter 13

First Match

"On the right arm, fracture of the radius and ulna. An a crack on the higher part." Killua named all of Gon's injuries. Meanwhile, Nozomi was sitting beside the silver hair boy, with her face buried in her hands and sighing. "Three fractures and twelve cracks in your ribs. Convalescence: four months. Stupid Animal!"

"... Sorry." Gon stuck his tongue out.

"I don't care about your apologies! What the hell went through your mind?!" Killua yelled as he poked Gon's forehead repeatedly. "You saw what happened to the ones that come here without knowing anything about nen, didn't you? A bit more, and you would have become like them! Consider yourself really lucky that it didn't end like that! Why do you think glasses-guy taught us this stuff?"

"I endured his attacks several times... If I was able to protect my vital points, I wouldn't die..." Gon answered, earning him a kick to his injured arm by Killua.

Just as Killua kicked Gon's arm, there was a knock on the door. Nozomi finally removed her face out of her hands to see Killua still kicking the other boy's arm. Shaking her head, she got up from her chair and answered the door. It was Wing. The man walked straight to Gon, ignoring everything, incluing Gon's apology. A loud clapping sound echoed through the room when he slapped Gon hard on the face. His action's shocked all three of the children, but either way he scolded Gon like Killua but he ended calmly by stating that he was glad to see that the boy wasn't hurt as much as the others.

"Killua-kun, do you know how long the convalescence will last?" Wing asked

"The doctor said about two months." The boy lied and caught eyes with Nozomi, signaling to her to keep silent.

Even without the signal she would have kept silent, but either way she responded with a smirk which quickly disappeared before Wing could see. On the other hand, Wing told Gon to not enter a match for two months and he can't practice or learn Nen. The twelve year old boy promised that he won't and Wing tied a string on his pinky finger, to remind the boy his promise went he looked at it. He then asked Killua and Nozomi outside to talk, leaving Gon alone in his bed.

When the three out of the building, Nozomi and Killua took a seat by a nearby bench while Wing stood before them.

"Killua... Nozomi... What's your true objective?" Wing asked

"Killua, tell Gon that even if he can't practice the sensation of Nen, he can still practice the Nen of inflammation. Tell him to do the point Ten everyday!" Wing called out to Killua who was already walking away.

Meanwhile, Nozomi stood beside the man as she watched her friend walking further and further away. Wing had asked the girl to stay back since he wanted to speak to her more. When Killua had left their sights, Wing turned to the girl.

"Your match is on May 31st, correct?" He asked and Nozomi nodded in confirmation."Then you should train with me and will help you prepare for your upcoming match and since you already know how to use the basic principles of Nen it should be a easy for you."

"If that's okay with you then I'll be honored. Thank you." Nozomi bowed deeply then scrutinized Wing's face. Deep down she wanted to reassure and tell him that he made the right choice on teaching Killua and Gon about Nen, but she decided not to speak since she didn't know whether it will make him feel better or not.

Instead they both walked to Wing's apartment in silence.

May 31st

Nozomi VS Ike

Nozomi was standing at the arena, staring up at her opponent, Ike. A tall young man with long silver hair and seemed like he was nothing but skin and bones. As Nozomi waited for the match to start she was wondering whether she should fight him or give him a sandwich.

"Begin!" The referee signaled

Ike charged towards Nozomi, his arm pulled back and ready to punch. As he got closer, Nozomi examined his actions then frowned.

This guy isn't even trying.

Right when the man's fist could collide with her face, he ducked and swung his leg at the twelve year old's legs. In which she expected and dodged in the last minute, swiftly kicking the man's face as well.

"Clean hit! Two point for Nozomi."

Nozomi slowly distanced herself from Ike. Her eyes were locked onto the man as she watched his expressionless face grew a bone-chilling sneer.

"Sensei's right." He stated as he got up to his feet. "I shouldn't hold back my abilities against her daughter."

"D-daughter? You know my mother?" Nozomi questioned.

Ike's sneer grew wider to Nozomi's interest. He stepped forward until he reached the middle of the arena.

"Lets make a deal. If you win, I'll tell you whatever you want to know about your mother. If I win, you have to give me that." He pointed at Nozomi's silver bracelet held out his hand for a handshake, "Also neither of us can hold back, deal?"

Nozomi looked at the large outstretched hand, back at her bracelet, then back at the hand. Hesitantly, she took the man's hand.

"Deal..."

The both released each other's hands at the same time and stepped back. Nozomi got into a fighting stance while Ike cracked his knuckles.

"Ready... Begin!" He announced and thrust his fist out towards the girl, but to her surprise a red orb flew in her direction at an incredible speed.

The girl's eyes widened in shock and quickly dodged the orb. Unfortunately for her, more orb came flying at her in every direction. She was able to dodge most of them, while the others were able to scrape her arms and legs, leaving a burn mark as evidence.

Knowing that she was in a disadvantage, Nozomi charged at the man, throwing punches and kicks to his face and torso.

"Nozomi and Ike both have eight points!" The referee announced

Now both Nozomi and Ike were panting from the mass amount of energy they used during the match. Rage filled the man's eyes while Nozomi just was trying to figure out how she would be able to get her last two points without getting hit.

"Hey kid! You aren't going by our agreement." Ike stated, earning a confused look from the girl. "You're holding back! I know you can defeat me in one shot and yet we're neck to neck! Follow our agreement already!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about Ike-san." Nozomi calmly responded.

Her response irritated Ike even further, "Fine. I'll just have to force it out or win."

Right as he finished his sentence, Nozomi felt something hook her arms from behind and lifting her up into the air.

What on Earth? She thought and looked back to see a clone of Ike keeping a tight grip on her. Switching her gaze back to the original, she saw a large red orb in his hand increasing in size as every second passed. No... I can't lose now! The only item I have from my mother is on the line.

"Goodbye Nozomi." Ike then launched the orb.

No... No... Without anyone's notice, Nozomi's irises turned ivory in an instant and a demonic scream tore its way through her throat. "NO!"

Darkness cloaked the battle arena, sealing out the referee and audience from the two fighters. Nothing could be seen or heard in the darkness. All that could be heard was the audience's murmurs and all that could be seen was the referee trying to enter the pitch-black barrier but in the end he was unable to penetrate it.

At last, five whole minutes had passed and the barrier dispersed, revealing the twelve year old girl holding her head while the man was curled up on the floor. His boy was cold and pale, and his eyes were wide and full of fear. The referee rushed up to inspect Ike.

"Ike has passed about and is unable to fight. Nozomi wins!" The referee announced.

Before the audience could cheer, Nozomi ran out of the arena and slumped down on the floor. Her body was trembling and she hugged herself in attempt to comfort herself.

"Nozomi." The girl glanced up to see Wing looking down at her with worry, "Are you okay? What happened out there?"

"I-I don't know... This has never happened to me before."

"...Zomi... Nozomi... NOZOMI!"

The said girl woke up with a jolt. Her breath was heavy and her hands were gripped onto another person's arms, unable to control her head to look up at the person before her.

"Nozomi, are you okay?" The person asked.

That voice... Killua... At last she was able to move her head to look up at the other person to see that it was Killua. Her body immediately relaxed and her grip on Killua's arms lessened but still held onto him.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. What time is it?" She asked, looking around to avoid eye contact.

"It's midnight." He replied, staring at the girl's pale face.

Mentally, he wanted ask her and know what had happened during her match, but he wasn't able to watch it since Zushi came over to visit while she was having her match. By the time Zushi left, he and Gon had turned on the TV only to find the paramedics carrying away a man with a stretcher while the audience and spectators questioned what had happened and were enthusiastic to see the girl's next match.

"Hey Killua..." Nozomi started, her voice catching the boy's attention, "Can you stay with me tonight?"

"Huh?" He responded, a bit surprised of her request. Nevertheless, he remembered the feared look that remained in her eyes, even up to now. "... Alright..."

Nozomi looked up at him with surprise too but decided not to question him anymore. Meanwhile, Killua was about to go to the couch when he realized that the girl's grip grew tighter again by his actions. Nozomi realized this too and quickly forced herself to let go as she murmured an apology.

"Move over." Killua ordered as he tried to hide his embarrassment, "It's more comfortable on the bed than the couch."

A small smile crept onto Nozomi's face to the boy's lie but she complied anyway. They both lay on the bed. Nozomi kept her eyes closed while Killua scanned the room as a distraction.

"Thanks... Killua..."

Killua snapped his attention back to Nozomi to find her sleeping peacefully. Her mouth was slightly open and a single hand lay by her head with the other gripped onto the blanket. Killua softly smiled at the sight and soon found himself falling asleep as well.

Well, that's it for this chapter everyone. I hope you enjoyed it and please review.